The gloves come off

After more than a decade of supremacy in the local high-performance V8 market, Holden Special Vehicles is about to face its toughest competition yet.

26 February 2003Cameron McGavin

The challenger is Ford Performance Vehicles, which replaces Tickford as the builder of modified high-performance Fords in Australia. The weapon? The reborn Falcon GT, which heads up a full range of new BA Falcon-based FPV machinery.

"We've always said that when the time was right and we had the right car, Ford would revive the iconic GT nameplate," said Ford Australia president Geoff Polites. "And with the successful launch of the BA Falcon, that time is now."

Due to go on sale next month, the BA Falcon GT is the first to be offered as a full-time member of the Falcon family since the mid-1970s (Ford sold Falcon GTs in 1992 and '97, but they were one-off, limited-build models).

Priced at $59,850 in manual form, the GT is powered by an uprated version of the XR8's 5.4-litre, 32-valve, quad camshaft V8 that pumps out an impressive 290kW. This puts it a handy 30kW up on its arch-rival, HSV's ClubSport, in the local power war.

Other GT specifics include 18-inch wheels and tyres (up from the 17s on the XR8), uprated brakes and suspension, a tough-looking bodykit and a unique interior that boasts, among other things, a starter button that glows red before ignition.

Backing up the GT is the GT-P, which sells for $69,850 in both manual and auto forms and is basically a GT with more luxury and performance gear. Rounding out the range is the Pursuit Ute from $54,850, which gets the GT powertrain in the utility bodyshell.

FPVs will be available from 67 Ford dealers across Australia, a big change from the unsuccessful "Ford Tickford Experience" retail strategy of a few years back, which restricted high-performance Fords to just a select few dealers around the country.

But while Ford is taking on HSV with its strongest range ever, it doesn't believe it will knock the king from its pedestal overnight. Thus the target for this year is a modest 1200 sales, a worthy slice of the segment but well short of HSV's impressive 3703-unit result for 2002.

More FPV models, though, are on the cards and will help the company mount a more serious sales challenge to HSV in the long-term. Still to be confirmed but believed to be high on Ford's wishlist is a modern-day version of the legendary Falcon GTHO, which is tipped to get a supercharged version of the GT's 5.4-litre V8 capable of a stunning 370kW.

Also being investigated is an FPV powered by an uprated version of the 4.0-litre turbo six from the XR6 Turbo, which could potentially slot below the GT in the line-up. FPV insiders also reveal the company is looking at building hot versions of other Ford vehicles, such as the compact Focus hatch, but not in the short-term.

For now, though, the GT, GT-P and Pursuit will take the fight to HSV. Drive sampled all three models at their national launch last week and, while inclement weather precluded a definitive judgement, we came away with positive first impressions.

The good news starts with the interiors, which are stylish, comfortable, well equipped and differentiated by unique touches such as suede trim inserts, sports seats, aluminium-look dash trim and the above-mentioned starter button.

Then there's the "290 Boss" engine, which boasts a super-strong, useable supply of power from idle to cut-out and sounds wonderful, especially at high revs. The standard five-speed shift is also a beauty.

Torrential rain meant we were unable to put on-road manners fully to the test, but all FPVs impressed with their sure-footedness, natural balance and agility in the slippery conditions.

The ride in the GT and GT-P is slightly more disciplined than in an XR, but it's still compliant enough for impressive comfort over rough and uneven road surfaces. The Pursuit, too, offers respectable comfort levels, despite its rear suspension being orientated more towards lugging loads than pampering passengers.

A final verdict on Ford's new weapons will have to wait, but it's clear that HSV has a big fight on its hands.

The full FPV range will be on display at the Melbourne motor show, which kicks off tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm.

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.